Observations focused on the problems of an underdeveloped country, Venezuela, with some serendipity about the world (orchids, techs, science, investments, politics) at large. A famous Venezuelan, Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo, referred to oil as the devil's excrement. For countries, easy wealth appears indeed to be the sure path to failure. Venezuela might be a clear example of that.

I would, however, like to see this letter published in all the newspapers (if possible) in Venezuela (maybe as part of the letters to the editor) and also in English (to be sent to the Washington Post, Miami Herald, NY Times, and all the big papers and magazines (Economist) to at least show the naked truth to the world about Chavez and his cohorts and the fake democracy that exists in Venezuela.

I seldom comment on this blog. I am not even Venezuelan, nor live in the country. Deanna, I am sorry to say that maybe Chavez is there because people want lots of things but dont do anything. These four bloggers, who must have jobs and family spend a lot of time on this and you want something else from them.

Maybe you should have said, I will contact the newspaper, or I will translate the letter, not I want. Sorry, I apologize to be so blunt, but in large part this is why nothing happens in Venezuela.

Another important subject:
Is there a way you can make this an open letter to all?

To the new and reelected Legislators’ of the ‘new’ National Assembly:
I would stress the importance of contacting your co-members who will be with you in the next assembly to assure them that you wish a better, braver and more prosperous Venezuela, without segregation or antipathy. The assembly is the ‘will of’ and is for all the people. Even the most red do not want to be communists and having the rest seen as second class citizens. All citizens are equal including their beliefs. Agreement to differ but respect the consensus.
Sitting members should be encouraged to see the possibilities of a better administration to come, and be prepared to help all the people and to that end espouse fully democratic constitutional beliefs and options.
Grant, to all, the opportunity to join and make a ‘first’ world of Venezuela; this could be done in ten years if everyone works together.
The need to curb or assuage the executive is paramount over the next few months. It’s important for the sitting members to understand that Venezuela must go forward as its own entity and not as the voice and venom of one man.

First, of all, like you I’m not Venezuelan. Second, I’m not in the the country right now. However, i do send this type of information to my contacts (through email). I, however, believe that the four bloggers who signed the letter above have been doing a great job, and I follow their blogs all the time (even though I don’t comment on everything). And I didn’t necessarily say that the bloggers had to do what I said above, i.e. spread the news on fake Venezuelan democracy to all the media in the world. As I said, I do my bit by circulating whenever I can to my contacts (both in the US and in Venezuela) whatever article I believe merits being circulated. And by the way, I have translated at least once for this blog.

Hi. Sorry I haven’t posted, I am in the middle of nowhere. I would suggest to those who don’t blog (I will do that asap when I have normal internet access) to send the post to BBC, Fox News, El Pais, The Guardian, CNN, El Mundo, El Tiempo, ZDF, whoever you want with OPEN CC to a Venezuelan embassy or state institution telling them ‘lots of others are getting this’

do not worry. dear Kepler, today I described it on http://www.outsidermedia.cz in the article on Vene elections (the blog had only pics with reds). Be sure, that the guys from Venembassy monitor it, as there are one/two people writting in Czech on Venezuela, better on Latin America. And the guys do not want to leave city, founded in 9th Century…

It was only fair to turn on the spotlight. So every one can see that the Rector of the CNE, the ineffable Milagros Socorro is stark naked. Stark naked in her disregard of law or fairness. It is only fair. Because the only engineer of this government “victory” without the vote is the CNE. She, and her accomplices.

Now, we do notice that the CNE needs urgently to be put back under rule of law. Even of the laws and regulations that they make, for goodness sake. Though I have always considered incestuous, deleterious to separation of power, and lending itself to corruption and abuse, that agencies of the government make the regulations (and at times the LAWS) they are then charged to enforce and apply. The CNE does not comply even with it’s own laws. Of course, we need to get the TSJ, then, back under the rule of law.